Press Releases

Atlas Cove Jetty Attack: Fashola Condoles With Families Of Victims, Condemns Perpetrators

Jul 15, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday expressed condolence to the families of the officers and men of the Armed Forces who were victims of the recent attack on the Atlas Cove jetty by suspected MEND members even as he described the development as unfortunate, un-strategic and ill–advised.

According to Governor Fashola who addressed newsmen at Lagos House, Marina after an emergency meeting of the State Security Council, the attack raises very new questions about what the agitation in the Niger Delta is all about.

He said that Lagos as the headquarters of the national press has been the medium of agitation and as a melting pot of nationalities; the people of Lagos have protected and hosted even displaced Niger Deltans.

Arguing that it was quite unfair to have turned on Lagos, the Governor explained that the State itself has been a victim of years of neglect as a former federal capital which continues to serve as the host community for all ethnic communities and as economic nerve centre of the country.

Wondering why Lagos should become a target of attack, the Governor asked rhetorically: “Is Lagos not also a victim of years of neglect? Is this an agitation without limits, is a friendly and host State fair game?”

Assuring law abiding citizens of his administration’s preparedness to protect their life and property at all times, Governor Fashola said: “If this was a mistake, we expect that it must never repeat itself as we will respond to this new security threat appropriately”.

Describing crime as a business, Governor Fashola said the State Government in partnership with the Private Sector and the security agencies is prepared to outspend and outrun all persons with criminal intents in order to run them out of the business of crime.